In this raw and emotional episode, Chris Billam-Smith sits down with Darren Barker to tell the unfiltered story of his rise from sleeping in a motorhome to becoming a world champion.

Before fighting on the huge Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn fight at Selhurst Park on April 26th against American powerhouse Brandon Glanton, Chris opens up about the defining moments of his journey:

➡️ Living without running water or power

➡️ Falling short of Team GB

➡️ Getting written off after losing to Richard Riakporhe

➡️ And the night he lifted the WBO world title in front of a packed stadium in Bournemouth against Lawrence Okolie

This episode goes deeper than boxing. It’s about integrity in a sport driven by hype, being a role model for the next generation, and the mantra that’s powered his career:

👉 Consistency Builds Success.

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In this unmissable episode, former world champion Tony Bellew sits down with Darren Barker for the most honest conversation of his career. From Goodison Park glory to Creed, from the pain of family loss to the pressure of defining moments — Bellew holds nothing back.

He opens up on the war with David Haye, facing Usyk, and why he nearly walked away from boxing for good. A powerful look into legacy, identity, and what it really takes to chase your dream when everything’s on the line.

One of the realest voices in British boxing. Don’t miss this.

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For the first time In this exclusive podcast Conor Benn joins Darren to talk about the incredible roller coaster of a life he has had. Conor talks about everything from the controversy over the drugs test and everything he did to prove his innocence. To his insane journey as being the son of the his famous dad Nigel Benn and how thats effected his own journey rising through the ranks of British boxing. Conor opens up how the drugs case affected him and everything he had to go through to make it through that. With Conor now found innocent and cleared of any wrong doing he eyes up the big fight that everyone wants to see against Chris Eubank Jr. We hope you enjoy this amazing episode where we promise you will see a side to Conor Benn you've never seen before.

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In this episode we get the absolute privilege to sit down with former heavy weight world champion Joseph Parker ahead of his massive fight with Daniel Dubois. Joe has had an incredible journey in boxing and an insane comeback story. Joe talks about his thoughts on Daniel Dubois's behaviour, What Tyson fury did for him that no one knows and his thoughts on the potential Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury fight. This was an absolute blast and you're gonna get to know Joe in a way you've never seen before!

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In this podcast DAZN's commentator Darren Barker sits down with boxing sensation Johnny Fisher. In the space of just four years Johnny has gone from selling meat with dad Big John to becoming Eddie Hearn's newest heavyweight star. Johnny has amassed a impressive social media presence and die hard fan base allowing him to sell out show after show. In this episode of the First Round Podcast: Johnny touches on everything from being signed by Eddie Hearn, fighting on the Fury vs Usyk 2 card and aspirations to fight Anthony Joshua.

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Dave Allen is back – and he’s not holding back. In this emotional and unpredictable conversation with Darren Barker, the White Rhino revisits the highs and brutal lows of his career.

From sparring Tyson Fury and Usyk and getting battered by Tony Yoka, to being called a “fat pig” in France and paying to fight on the small hall scene – this is a deep dive into boxing’s most unlikely cult hero.

Now training kids in Doncaster and preparing for one last shot against Johnny Fisher, Dave reveals what keeps him in the game… and what nearly took him out.

⚠️ Don’t miss this one if you care about the man behind the gloves.

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Hamzah Sheeraz joins Darren Barker on First Round TV for his most honest, raw and revealing interview yet.

From growing up without a father figure to working as an apprentice electrician at 15 just to help his family eat, Hamzah opens up about the pressure, pain, and sacrifice behind his rise through boxing. He shares the emotional aftermath of his controversial draw with Carlos Adames, the brutal silence that followed, and the people who turned their backs when the wins stopped.

Hamzah reflects on what it really takes to reach the top, how the wrong people nearly derailed his career, and why he’s now rebuilt his mindset, team, and weight class under new trainer Andy Lee. He talks captaincy at Riyadh’s 5v5, facing the toughest puncher he’s ever been in with, and chasing greatness at 168lbs — with Edgar Berlanga next, and Canelo in his sights.

This is the untold story of Britain’s most exciting middleweight contender.

🎙 Topics include:

• Growing up in East London without a dad
• Working to support his mum at age 15
• The Adames fight and post-fight backlash
• Taking full accountability for defeat
• Why he changed trainers and moved to 168lbs
• Life-changing moments inside and outside the ring
• Being captain at the Riyadh 5v5
• His relationship with His Excellency
• Faith, pressure, and boxing’s brutal truths
• Canelo aspirations and redemption

🎧 Listen now and get inside the mind of boxing’s most quietly dangerous contender.

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Boxing, Boxer, British Boxing, Sports, Heavyweight boxing, Boxing legends, Boxing talk, Boxing History, Boxing Champions,

Liam Smith joins Darren Barker on First Round TV to deliver one of the most honest and powerful interviews in British boxing. From the rough streets of Liverpool to world title glory, Liam tells the full story — no filters, no fluff.

In this deeply personal conversation, Liam opens up about:

🧒 Growing up in a boxing-mad household with the legendary Smith brothers

🥊 Sparring in the living room as kids — with ornaments flying!

🏆 Becoming Liverpool’s first world champion in 22 years

💔 The pain of politics in amateur boxing — and why he turned pro early

💥 Fighting Canelo Alvarez in Texas and why he was convinced he’d win

🧠 The mental toll of boxing and watching his brothers fight

💸 Being short-changed for the Canelo fight — and his biggest regrets

🛑 The truth about the Chris Eubank Jr. rematch

🇬🇧 Why the British Title still eats away at him — and the belt they never got to keep

⚽️ And how football nearly stole him away from boxing…

This is Liam Smith like you’ve never seen him before — reflective, open, and fiercely proud of his journey.

👊 Whether you're a hardcore fight fan or just love real human stories, this one hits hard.

Undefeated British light-heavyweight Ezra Taylor is no longer a rising star — he’s a serious contender with elite ambitions. In this gripping conversation with former world champion Darren Barker, Ezra lays out his path to boxing’s summit.

With 12 wins, 8 KOs, and a WBC International belt already under his name, Ezra doesn’t pull punches. He wants the best — Dmitry Bivol, Artur Beterbiev, Callum Smith, and David Benavidez. And he’s not talking dream fights. He’s talking next fights.

🎙️ In This Episode:

• Callouts with conviction – Why Ezra believes he’s a threat to Bivol & Beterbiev right now.
• From amateur frustration to pro focus – The missed weigh-in that changed his life and set him on a world-title path.
• Malik Scott & LA training – How training in America transformed his discipline, stamina, and style.
• No plan B – Faith, purpose, and sacrifice: the mindset that drives Ezra through every setback.
• The Tommy Fury challenge – Why Ezra demanded to face Tommy’s past opponent — and made a statement.
• September showdown? – The personal grudge with Louis Edmondson that could explode in Nottingham.

🧠 Plus:

His Mount Rushmore of boxing, thoughts on Beterbiev vs Bivol III, Dubois vs Usyk 2, and what it really takes to make it in modern boxing.

Follow First Round TV for more raw, honest conversations with the sport’s future legends.

Viddal Riley: From YouTube Corner to British Champion | First Round TV

Most people know Viddal Riley as KSI’s boxing coach. But what they’ve missed is the fighter behind the trainer — an 8-time national champion who walked away from fame to chase real legacy in the sport.

In this episode, Viddal joins Darren Barker to talk about:

• Coaching KSI, Bezinga & the Sidemen
• His childhood in the gym under his father’s watch
• Losing twice and being told: “Quit, or go pro”
• Signing with Floyd Mayweather Promotions and fighting in Vegas
• Why he had zero nerves before the biggest fight of his life
• What the British title means — and who he wants next

This isn’t a YouTuber story. This is a fighter’s journey — raw, grounded, and focused on greatness.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your boxing fix.

🔗 Watch the full video on YouTube: @FirstRoundTV

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Viddal Riley, KSI boxing, Floyd Mayweather, Jake Paul, Boxxer, Sky Sports Boxing, British Champion, Viddal Riley vs Aloys Jr, The Sidemen, Behzinga, Lawrence Okolie, Anthony Joshua, YouTube boxing, Viddal Riley interview, Darren Barker, First Round TV, Real boxer vs YouTuber, Cruiserweight, Mayweather Promotions

What would you do if your phone rang during dinner… and on the other end, someone asked if you were ready to fight Shakur Stevenson for the world title — in four days?

In this unbelievable episode, Josh Padley joins Darren Barker to tell the real-life Rocky story that shook the boxing world. One moment, he’s installing solar panels in Doncaster. The next, he’s flying business class to Saudi Arabia to face one of the best fighters on the planet with no camp, no preparation, and everything to lose.

From skipping dinner and jumping on the scales to being dropped by perfectly placed body shots on a sold-out Saudi card, Josh opens up about grit, fear, belief, and opportunity — and how saying “yes” at the right time changed his life forever.

💬 Josh also reveals:

• What it felt like to fight Shakur Stevenson with no sparring
• The call-up story that started mid-meal with “Watch your weight, lad.”
• How he made weight overnight — and what broke him in the ring
• Buying a kettle with Alexa as his first big-money purchase
• Life as a working-class fighter: work vans, robot hoovers & Wembley dreams
• His new life as a full-time pro with Matchroom
• His 5-year goal to win a world title — and who he wants next

This is one of the wildest and most inspiring stories we’ve ever heard on First Round. If you’ve ever needed a reminder that dreams still happen — even if you're not in camp — this episode is for you.

Joe Calzaghe sits down for a deeply personal, no-holds-barred conversation with former world champion and close friend Darren Barker — and it might be the most emotional and revealing interview of his legendary career.

From going 46-0 and becoming a two-weight world champion, to walking away from £10 million comeback offers, and now embracing life beyond boxing — Joe opens up about retirement, regret, fatherhood, legacy, and sobriety in this raw and unfiltered episode of First Round TV.

This is a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest British fighters of all time.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The full story behind Calzaghe vs Jeff Lacy – and why Joe almost didn’t fight

Why Joe says he “never truly enjoyed boxing” despite going undefeated

The life-changing influence of his father and trainer Enzo Calzaghe

Behind-the-scenes insight into the Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. fights

Why Joe turned down all comeback offers – even with millions on the table

His battle with sobriety, identity loss after boxing, and finding peace

Thoughts on the next generation, fatherhood, and what legacy really means

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🔥 Who Is Joe Calzaghe?

Joe Calzaghe is widely regarded as one of the greatest British boxers of all time. A former WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring, and lineal super-middleweight and light-heavyweight world champion, he retired in 2009 with a perfect 46-0 record, becoming one of the very few boxers to hang up the gloves undefeated.

Born in London and raised in Wales, Joe was trained by his father Enzo Calzaghe, a man with no formal boxing background who helped build one of the most incredible legacies in British sporting history.

His resume includes dominant wins over:

Chris Eubank

Jeff Lacy (in a performance often considered the greatest by a British fighter)

Mikkel Kessler

Bernard Hopkins

Roy Jones Jr.

This one wasn’t planned. In the middle of NYC traffic, a chance Uber ride turned into a once-in-a-lifetime conversation with **Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs** – and it's one of the most emotional episodes we’ve ever recorded.

The former World Heavyweight Champion opens up like never before about:

- Growing up homeless in Brownsville, Brooklyn

- His first fight at 16, sparked by fear of crossing a bridge

- George Foreman’s power & Lennox Lewis’ greatness

- Regret, redemption, and the hunt for a perfect trainer

- Life after boxing: cannabis, acting, family, legacy

- Mental health, motivation, addiction, and survival

- His Mount Rushmore of Boxing (surprising picks!)

If you're a boxing fan, a fighter, or just someone chasing a dream — this episode is for you. LET'S GO CHAMP.